Comments on: The Early Word: Prize Surprisehttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/
The Politics and Government blog of The New York TimesTue, 09 Feb 2010 20:43:05 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/section/NytSectionHeader.gifNYThttp://www.nytimes.com
By: millie lencionihttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-2/#comment-1586363
Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:48:55 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1586363So many people are acting like they are so much more deserving of this award and President Obama came out of nowhere and stole this right out of their hands. This wasn’t your choice to make, get over yourselves, get over your anger and just move on.
]]>By: TRhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-2/#comment-1584939
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:59:17 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584939Chris—here are 3 more deserving candidates than Obama–Sima Samar, Hu Jia, or Morgan Tsvangirai, with preference to Sima Samar.

Obama is more powerful than all 3, but those 3 need the exposure and platform that Obama already has.

]]>By: Chrishttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-2/#comment-1584491
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:33:01 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584491It’s interesting that none of the detractors have put forth an alternate candidate who is more deserving.

Obama’s first 9 months in office have been consequential. His actions have been calculated, measured, and diplomatic. Peaceful initiatives are often gradual and boring, not spectacular.

For the first time in decades, we are involved in a significant dialouge with the Iranians, which may produce a breakthrough in the neutralization of their enrichment program.

He has eliminated the threat of strategic missile systems in eastern Europe, which made it possible to get the Russians on board with our efforts on Iran.

He’s taken a balanced position on the Israel/Palestinian conflict, which lays the groundwork for other diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

Through his economic policy, he has averted a catastrophic failure of the banking and finance sectors. If he’d failed in this, it would surely have caused worldwide panic and instability.

There’s still work to do, obviously, but much of this is due to the utter incompetence of the previous administration and the mountain of trouble they left behind.

GTMO is turning out to be a sticky wicket, mostly because we can’t legally try its inmates when the evidence against them was got by torture. The cowardice on the part of Congressional democrats and republicans alike is also the main reason why these criminals have not been moved to locations within the US.

We are gradually turning over Iraq to the Iraqis, and by all appearances the Maliki government will be able to preserve some level of security and freedom for its people. Afghanistan is a problem, mostly beacuse of long neglect by the Bush administration. Obama’s options there are to abandon the country to civil war and the eventual return of the Taliban, build up the current corrupt government until it has monoplized power in that country, or to act indefinitely as an anti-terror police force.

If nothing else, the Prize is an acknowledgement that Obama’s presidency faces some of the most difficult foreign policy choices a president has had to make in recent memory.

]]>By: millie lencionihttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-2/#comment-1584455
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:20:41 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584455This is what karma looks like. This is the payback to all of those ignorant people that had the audacity to clap and blame the President for the failed Olympic bid .
]]>By: millie lencionihttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-2/#comment-1584453
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:15:28 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584453Is there another leader that has made attempts to promote world peace? At least he is trying. This award doesn’t always go to past accomplishments. This committee has faith that our President has the ability to accomplish great things in the world, it’s a real shame that people here don’t feel the same way.
]]>By: Steve Bolgerhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584379
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:55:46 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584379Henry Kissinger probably thanks his lucky stars he got the Nobel Peace Prize to keep him out of the International Court of Justice.
]]>By: James (San Diego)http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584343
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:47:04 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584343After reading and rereading some of the post I am sure of one thing and that is you people do not understand what this award is about. It is an award of a life time of standing up for the human race and against its atrocities they are know to commit against itself. It is not an award to give to someone who has done nothing but take office and run their mouth about something but before were silent while things like Darfur are happening. It is about the personal dedication to the testament of peace and security of humanity not the praising of terrorist.

Some will say that he has done more to quell the anger of the world in just 9 short months. Really? we are still at war and the terrorist are still coming. The anger against us is still there.

Someone tell me what he done that was so outstanding that it was a reason to give him this award. No talking a good game is not the answer. there are people living in places that are fighting for their very lives to bring equality and justice to those who have none and you people thing he by his very breathe should be awarded this prize.

Although rebecca has an eloquent way of putting it that is not a reason to be awarded the award. I give you an example of people who deserved the award “Carter” look at his record and now look at obama’s do you people see the difference? I bet you do not.

]]>By: Bren808http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584337
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:15:47 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584337Why do people keep saying “what he’s done in nine months”? The prize was voted on when he had been in office less than TWO WEEKS.
]]>By: Mark Wilkes Barre PAhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584323
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:34:00 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584323#2 steve Bolger is spot on…..
” The caucus ” Should have left that comment stand alone on this thread Steve…..
But seeing how they did not , let me add this,

We are at the moment , fully engaged in military exercises ( war to realists) in Iraq, Afganistan, the border of pakastan ( and as far in as our drones dare to fly ) as well as having to possibly face irans nuclear postering in this administrations first term.
Any reasonable American should see the bad timing of this award ( or Nobel’s agenda) as well as every reason for President Obama to NOT accept this award at this time as it just, wouldn’t be right while our troops are in harms way.
As It might present the appearence of commitment or acceptance of defeat of America by those who mean to harm us by our troops commander and chief.
When were are done fighting and all soldiers are home, I will have no problem congradulating the President if the Nobel Peace prize is re -offered to him, However the organization comes to award the nominees.

]]>By: rebecca ramseyhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584143
Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:55:20 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584143I was out of the loop today and just learned tonight that President Obama received the Nobel peace prize. I was initially surprised but I think I have a feeling for why this has happened. As Americans, it is hard to really imagine the import of our country on the world. America means something profoundly hopeful to Europe. Our history of deep connections with european immigrant communities, our support and sacrifice in the two world wars and our messy but exquisite support of free speech and human rights are emotionally ingrained in the European psyche. The election of Obama, our first black president and a man who is so brilliant and measured and not arrogant has given Europeans a chance to feel once again the hope that America inspires to lead the world in justice. The commitment to just ideals is one extremely important ingredient to the mix that leads individuals or nations to work for peaceful solutions. This prize is an exuberant shout out and affirmation to the US to uphold what the rest of the world most treasures about our nation.
]]>By: Edhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584049
Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:26:30 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584049I guess the Nobel Prize committee decided on his award when they saw his campaign poster that simply read, “HOPE.”

Yeah. I HOPE he can endeavor to earn this honor over the next several years, because he certainly hasn’t earned it, yet! None of his campaign promises have been fulfilled. Even a few of his inauguration speech promises have actually been cancelled as “bad ideas,” such as the closing of Gitmo, the cancellation of the Patriot Act, or the systematic withdrawal from Iraq.

So, he has accomplished nothing, done a few things he promised / vowed never to do, and he is now acting more like his predecessor than any of his supporters would like to admit. I guess it’d be too much to ask the Nobel Committee to consider George W. Bush as a co-honoree.

Gimme a break!

]]>By: Rickhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1584027
Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:02:50 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1584027If Henry Kissenger can receive the Nobel Prize after what happened at Laos & Cambodia, I see absolutely no problems in awarding President Obama the Nobel Prize…

Our relationships with the rest of the world has already improved in the short time he’e been in office…..

I have often felt that Eisenhower was one of the most under-appreciated intellects to occupy the office.

Very few Americans know much about this astoundingly prescient man.

]]>By: Michael S, Oak Park, Il.http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/comment-page-1/#comment-1583909
Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:26:38 +0000http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/the-early-word-prize-surprise/#comment-1583909TR,
Considering the side you have taken on many issues concerning global problems, your virulence on this page must be taken as a good omen.
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